Container



R. GUYER Aug. 28, 1945"."

CONTAINER Filed Feb. 16, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l III/I/I/II/II/ III R INVENTOR Qdmdm. Dunn ATTORNEY R. GUYER Aug. 28, 1945.

CONTAINER Filed Fb. 16, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY mum;

- 'ATTORNEY 1 Acme Jig .6 a5

Patented Aug. 28, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

, CONTAINER v Reynolds Guyer, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Waldorf Paper Products Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application February 16, 1942, Serial No. 431,120

Claims. (Cl. 229-16) My invention relates to an improvement in containers, wherein it-is desired to provide a long able, costly containers have been employed so that they may be reused frequently. It has been found, however, that certain difliculties exist through the use of material such as fiberboard for lasting case for containing bottled goods and the these containers. In the first place, the bottom surfaces of the containers often wear out or become damaged, making it necessary to discard the entire carton. Furthermore, for convenience in handling. it is usually desirable to puthand openings in the ends of the cartons or cases. As a result, the portions of the case adjacent the hand openings are liable to injury, as all of the weight of the case is carried by a small area of the fiberboard.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a fiberboard case or carton which is formed with a detachable bottom surface. This bottom surface is quickly and easily disengageable from the remainder of the carton so that when the bottom of the case becomes worn or damaged, it may be quickly replaced with a new bottom portion. It is also an object of the present invention to in theprovision of a reinforcing strip extending.

across the ends of the case, preferably within and overlying the inner surface of these walls. This strip may be secured in place by the same means which is used to connect the upper and lower sections of the case together so that no additional fastening means may be required for this addi-' tional reinforcement.

It is an important feature of the presentinvention to provide hand openings through the end walls of the case immediately below the reinforcing strips. In preferred form the reinforcing strips extend'substantiall'y flush with the upper surfaces of these hand openings. As a result a thickened wall is provided for the fingers to en gage so that the containers may be comfortably handled even though the cases support considerable weight.

An additional advantage of thepresent construction results from the positioning of the reinforcing strips directly above the hand openings. The cases or cartons are often carried with one hand. when the cases contain bottledgoods, considerable weightis supported by one end of the carton. In carrying the case with one hand it is necessary that the fingers engage within the reinforcing strip adjacent the opening through which the hand extends. The end strain thus created is distributed over the entire width of the provide a case having hand opening through opposed walls thereof and to provide a reinforcement above these openings. This reinforcement distributes the strain over a considerable area of the carton when the same is lifted and also provides a more comfortable grip for the person handling the case.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a case or carton formed in two separate parts. The first of these parts forms the side walls and top of the case. The other part of the case forms the bottom of the case and is readily separated from the top for replacement purposes.

A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the bottom section of the case in preferred form is provided with side and end walls which extend withinthe side and end walls of A further feature of the present invention lies case by the reinforcing strip.

These and other objects and novel features of' I my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging case or carton with a portion thereof broken away to show my new construction.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the two parts 'if the carton separated one from the other before assembly thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through a portion of the case, the position of the section being indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the died-out formation of the upper portion of the case before the same has been folded.

Figure 5 is a plan view showing the died-out formation of the lower portion of the case, showing the died-out formation thereof before folding.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing a modified form of construction.

Figure 7 is a. view'similar to Figure 6 showing another modified form of construction. 1

Figures is a perspective :view of one end of the inner crate portion, showing a modified form of fastening means for the reinforcing strips.

The case A comprises an upper portion B and a lower portion C designed for attachment to the upper portion B. The folded assembled rela- 5 tion of these parts is indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings, while a method of assembly of thetwo parts is indicated in Figure '2.

The upper case portion B includes a pair of end .walls l6 and II and a, pair of side walls l2 l0 and H. The end wall I6 is connected, to the side wall l2 along a fold line H. The side wall" I2 is connected to the end wall I I along a fold line IS. 'The end wall H is connected tothe side wall I3 by a fold line l6. An attaching flap or tab is,secured to the side wall 13 along a fold line H. When the top portion B of the case is folded it assumes the rectangular form illustrated in Figure 2 with the attaching flap l1 overlapping 'the edge 26 of the end wall I. The flap i1 is secured marginally to the end wall I6 in any suitable manner, such as by gluing or stitching.

A cover flap 2| is'secured to the end wall l6 along a fold line 22. A similar cover flap 23 is secured to the end wall ll along a fold line 24. 5

These cover flaps are designed to fold into substantially right angular relation with the end walls I6 and and act to'stiflen or reinforce these end walls. A slot 25 projects" from the end of the flap 2|; inwardly toward the fold line 22 and a similar slot 26 extends inwardly from the end of the flap '23" toward thefold line 24. The purpose of these slots 25 and 26 will be'later described indetail.

A cover flap 21 is securedto the side wall I2 along 9, fold line29. A similar cover mp 36 is secured to the side wall; ljalong a fold line 3|. The cover flaps 21 and 36 aiedesigned to fold over the cover flaps 2] and 23 when the case is closed, as is best illustratedin Figure 1 of the 40 drawings.

A locking flange 32 is connected to the end of the flap 2! along a fold line 35." A similar lockin: flap I4 is connected to the flap 36 along a fold line 35. The locking flaps or flanges 32 and u do not extend the run length of the cover flaps 21 and so and m the folded, position of the case, fold inwardly, extending through the slots 25.. and 26 of. the cover flaps 2| and '29. These anchoring flanges 32 and, when folded inwardly through the slots 25 and 26, hold the cover flap 21 and 36 in closed position, as illustrated in Figure 1, and also act to stiffen the container top.

The end wall I6 is provided with an elongated hand hole 36 through which the fingers of the hand may extend in carrying the case. The end wall I I is provided .with a similar hand hole 51.

The holes '36 and 31 are spaced somewhat below the fold lines 22 and 24 to provide an area of carton above the hand holes. An opening 39 is 66 provided in one of the'cover flaps 21 or 36 soas to facilitate the openings of the cover flaps from closed position. a v r The lower section C of the case is formed as best. illustrated in Figure 5 and, at the top of Figure 2 of the drawings. This lower section C includes a rectangular base or bottom 46, which is connected alonga fold line 4| to a side wall portion 42 and along an opposed and parallel fold line 43 to a side wall 44. .The bottom 46 7 is also connected along a fold line 45 to an end wall 46 and along a fold line 41 to an end'wall 49. In the assembled case, the side walls 42 and 44 and the end walls 46 and 49 are folded upwardly at substantially right angles with respect to the base or bottom 46. The side walls 42, 44, 46 and 49 are somewhat higher than the corresponding side walls i3, l2, l6 and ii of the upper section B so as to extend substantially below the level of the walls of the upper section in assembled condition. l

A substantially triangular end flap 56 is secured to an edge of the side wall 42 along a fold line 5|. A similar opposed end flap 52 is secured to the side wall 42 along a fold line 53. Similar end flaps 54 and 55 are secured along fold lines 56 and 51, respectively,'to edges of the side wall 44. The endflaps 56, 52, 54, and 55 are arranged to fold into overlapping relation with the end walls 46 and 49 so as to reinforce and strengthen these end walls and'to form rigid corners in the finished case.

Hand holes 59 and 66 are provided in the end walls 46 and 49, respectively. These holes are elongated in form and extend substantially par allel to the ends of the end walls 46 and 49. Similarly shaped hand holes 6| and 62 are formed in the end flaps 56 and 52, respectively, while similar hand holes 69 and 64 are provided in the end flaps 54 and 55, respectively. When the bottom portion C of the case is in folded relation, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the draw ings, all of these hand holes for each end of the container fold into registry. In other words, the hand holes 6| and 69 fold into registry with the hand hole 66 in the end wall 49, while the hand holes 62 and 64 fold into registry with the hand hole 59 in the end wall 46. When the case is assembled these respective hand holes extend into registry with the hand openings 36 and 31 of the upper portion B of the case A.

A means is also provided for fastening the up Der and lower sections B and. C of the case in assembled relation. In the preferred form illustrated, I provide a bolt or similar means 65 at each end of the case, which is designed to extend through all of the superimposed layers of material forming the ends of the case. As will be noted in Figure 4 of the drawings, bolt openings 66 and 61 extend through the end walls l6 and II above the hand holes 36 and 31. Similar holes 69, 16, and H extend through vthe end wall 49 and the end flaps 56 and 54 respectively. Bolt holes l2, l5, and 14 extend through the end wall 46, the end flap 52, and the end flap 55, respectively. In folded condition of the case, the bolt holes'69, 16, and H extend in alignment with the bolt hole 66 in the end wall l6, while the holes 12, 13, and 14 extend into alignment with the hole 61. When the bolts 65 are extended through all of these holes, the two parts of the case are held in assembled relation.

In order to reinforce the ends of the'case andto distribute the strain, I provide reinforcing strips I5 the width of the end walls 46 and 46.

These reinforcing strips 15 are designed to over'- lie the inner wall of the case, and in preferred form, the lower edge 16 of the reinforcing strips 15 extends flush with the upper edge of the adjacent hand holes. Thus any end strain upon the case, either while pulling the case along a flat surface, or by lifting the case with one hand, will be distributed throughout. the entire breadth of the case.

In lifting the case the fingers are extending through the hand holes and extend beneath the reinforcing strips 15 so as to provide a broad area of bearing against the fingers; When a fiber board .case of the usual type is lifted, the relatively thin walls form a narrow bearing surface, which cuts into the fingers, making the case diflicult to carry. With the present construction, the numerous wall thicknesses and the reinforcing strips provide a wide bearing area so that the case, even when fully loaded, may be comfortably carried. It will further be noted that when it is desired to replace either the top or bottom section of the case, it is necessaryonly to remove two bolts, whereupon the entire case may be disassembled and either part thereof may be replaced.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, I disclose a construction identical to that previously described and having similar-elements. In place of having the strip loosely overlie the inner surface of the case, however, a strip 11, similar to the strip 15, is secured to the end wall I9, which is identical with the end wall 49, by means of staples 80 or other suitable means. Thus in handling the disassembled parts of the case the reinforcing strips need not be separately handled.

It is not necessary that the reinforcing strips be attached to or arranged to overlie the end wall 49 of the case, as is illustrated in-Figure 7 of the drawings. Reinforcing strips, such as 8| may be marginally attached to end flaps 82 similar to the end flaps 50 and 52 of the case section illustrated in Figure 5. Such an end flap 82 may be folded inwardly of the end walls 83,

which take the place of the end walls and 49 to provide a desired reinforcement. Such a construction necessitates only the folding of certain, or all of the end flaps inwardly to the end walls 46 and 49, rather than exterlorly thereof. Similarly, it is obvious that any suitable means may be used for fastening the reinforcing strips in place.

The construction shown in Figure 8 of the drawings discloses a novel manner of holding the reinforcing strips in place. In this construction, the inner or bottom containing section D of the case, corresponding to the crate section C previously described, is shown in folded position. The section end 84 (corresponding to the end 49) is in overlapping relation to the end flaps 85 and 85 (corresponding to the end flaps 59 and 54). The upper edges of these portions 84, 85, and 88 are provided with notches 81 and 89. Headed fastening elements 90 are provided in the reinforcing strips 9!. The strips 91 engage interiorly of the end wall 84, and the fastening elements 90 extend through the slots 81 and 89, the heads thereof lying exteriorly of the end flaps 85 and 86, holding the parts assembled.

These fastening elements may also be used to hold the two case parts together, or a separate bolt may be used as in previous constructions.

I have found my case to be extremely practical in commercial use. Not only may the worn bottom or top portion of the case be readily replaced when desired, but also the case is stronger than the usual case because of the double side and end walls. The case is more easily carried than any other case with which I am familiar and when formed in the manner disclosed, the cases may be shipped in a flat condition and may be readily assembled at the time the packaged goods are placed therein. v

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my case, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A container comprising two main parts, one of said parts comprising rectangularly arranged side walls, an open bottom, and a top cover; the other of said parts comprising rectangularly arranged side walls, an open top and a bottom, said side walls of said two parts designed to extend from relative longitudinal movement with the side walls of said one part enclosing the side walls of said otherpart, and means extending through adjacent walls of both said parts for releasably holding said parts in telescoping relation.

2. A container comprising two main parts, one of said parts comprising rectangularly arranged side walls, an open bottom and .a top cover;' the other of said'parts comprising a crate bot-' of said other part, and releasable threaded means extending through adjacent side walls of both said parts for securing said side walls from relative longitudinal movement.

3. A container comprising two main parts, a top part and a bottom part; said top part comprising rectangularly arranged side walls, an open bottom, and a top, the bottom part including a bottom, an open top, side walls foldably secured thereto, and designed to fold into rectangular relation, the side walls of said parts being arranged to telescope, and means extending through adjacent side walls of both'parts'securing said parts from relative, longitudinal movement, opposed side walls having hand holes extending through the side walls of both of said parts.

4. A container comprising two main parts, a

top part and a bottom part; said top part com- I 'are folded into rectangular relation, said parts designed to extend in telescoping relation, and releasable means extending through adjacent side walls of both parts holding said parts from relative longitudinal movement, said other side walls,

flaps, and the corresponding sidewalls of said top portion having hand' holes extending therethrough.

5. A container comprising two main parts, a

top part and a bottom part, said top part having an open bottom and comprising side and end walls arranged in rectangular relation, said bottom part comprising a bottom, side and end walls foldably secured thereto to fold into rectangular relation, end flaps on said last named sidewalls designed to overlap said last named end walls,

said two parts designed to telescope together with the side walls of the bottom part enclosed by the side walls of I the top part, and means to secure said parts in telescopic relation with the side walls of said bottom part extending substantially below the side walls of said top part, saidlast named end walls and said end flaps having hand holes therethrough in registry, and said end walls of said top part having hand holes therethrough in registry with said hand holes in said bottom part.

6. A container comprising two main parts, a top part and a bottom part, said top part having an op n bottom and including connected side and end walls arranged in rectangular formation, said bottom part including a rectangular bottom, side walls foldably secured along two opposedledgesv thereof, and end walls foldably secured along the remaining edges thereof, said side and end walls of said two parts bein arranged in telescoping relation with the sidewalls of the bottom part enclosed by the side walls of said top part, end flaps foldably secured along opposed edges of said side walls designed to overlap said end walls, a reinforcing strip extending along said end walls of said bottom portion, and bolt means extending through said end walls, end flaps, and reinforcing strips holding said main parts assembled.

7. A container comprising two main parts, a top part and a bottom part, said top part having an open bottom and including connected side and end walls in rectangular formation, said bottom part comprising a rectangular bottom, and side and end walls foldably connected thereto, the side and end walls of said two parts-arranged in telescoping relation with the side walls of the top part enclosing the side walls of said bottom part, registering hand holes in said end walls, a transverse reinforcing strip secured extending across said end walls above each said hand hole, and bolt means securing said two main parts toether. s

8. A container comprising two parts, a top part and a bottom part, the top part having an open bottom and including connected side andv end walls arranged in substantially-rectangular formatlon, said bottom part including a substantially assascs rectangular bottom, side and end walls foldably secured thereto, said side walls of said two parts designed to telescope with the side walls of the top part enclosing the side walls of said bottom part, registering hand holes in the end walls of said two parts, said bottom part projecting below said top part, a reinforcing strip extending transversely across each end wall above said hand holes, the lower edge of said strip extending substantially flush with the upper edge of the adjacent hand hole, and headed removable fastening means extending through said end walls and said reinforcing strip to hold said two parts assembled in telescoping relation.

\ 9. In a case. a bottom wait side walls secured thereto, end walls secured to said bottom walls, end flaps on said side walls foldable over said end walls, registering notches in the upper edges of said end walls and end flaps, reinforcing strips engaging on one side of said end wall, and headed fastening means extending through said notches and having their heads engaging on the other side of said end walls.

' 19. A container comprising two parts, a top part and a bottom part, said top part including rectangularly arranged walls and a cover, the bottom of said top part being open, said bottom part having an open top and including a bottom and rectangularly arranged side walls thereon, the side walls of said two parts extending in telescopic relation with the side walls of said top part enclosing the side walls of said bottom part and the lower end of said bottom part pro- Jecting below the side walls of said top part.

REYNOLDS GUYER; 

